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Another way for Jones to retain the entry - assuming Kerri Einarson doesn't move thru via winning Manitoba or the play-in - - - - is putting Shannon Birchard back onto the roster - then returning her to alternate status at the event - Jill could serve as coach instead of Wendy!

However, I don't know when the absolute last minute a team has for declaration - anyone know?

Birchard has a very good shot at winning Manitoba - no Jones to compete against - some decent up 'n comers but Einarson/Sweeting/Birchard/Meilleur is a very formidable unit - - - - - right now I'd have them rated #3 or #4 in Canada without even playing a match.

I can't really see Team Jones being denied Team Canada status at next year's Scotties because this type of situation really isn't in the spirit of the rules. They could just modify the rule to allow an exception in this instance if need be, or Jones could play games with their announced lineup as ML said.

That said, if Team Jones couldn't be Team Canada because of this it should then go to the new Team Fleury. She picked up 3/4 of Einarson's rink, which would fulfill the 3 out of 4 rule, similar to when John Morris picked up 3/4 of Koe's old team to begin this cycle.

I like JV's point about Tracy Fleury getting the STOH auto-berth if the CCA decides to nail Jones to the cross.

However, I can't imagine why they'd do that. Jones is box office gold - next year might just be her last season - she has a chance to get a record-setting 7th Scotties title and she's fielding a darn good team.

If they turn Jones down then JJ has to play thru the Manitoba Scotties - where she'll be in tough with young fiends like Kerri Einarson and T Fleury. With Fleury and Einarson plus Jones Manitoba now becomes the #1 centre for depth in Canadian women's curling.

Northern Ontario was previously a 2 man show - now its just McCarville.
Ontario is Homan and a bunch of young re-setting mopes.
Saskatchewan is still lacking curling leadership.
Alberta has depth but with Val defecting to Manitoba that's their strongest skip off the market. The Scissor sisters are now #1 - Crystal Webster will probably return with a fresh team, Shannon Kleibrink is retired, who knows how powerful Crocker's muppets will be?

So even if Jones, Einarson or Fleury can't punch their ticket into the 2019 Scotties - they'll probably pull in enough points to play-in on the eve of the event. . . . . . and it could very well be another all-Manitoba play-in - just like this year!

Rachel should be safe in Ontario.
McCarville now has an auto-berth in N. Ont.
The Sisters have at least a 50% chance of repeating in Alberta.
Minor improvements in Nfld/Labrador but the Maritimes is in a bit of a mess (Maryanne excepting), Quebec isn't strong, the north is fairly feeble and BC isn't quite ready to go into major battle.

rachel doesn't need to worry about getting to the scotties. with flaxey moving out of ontario and middaugh retiring her 2 main threats are out of the way. only harrison remains to be a challenge for her in ontario

quote:Originally posted by misty1 rachel doesn't need to worry about getting to the scotties. with flaxey moving out of ontario and middaugh retiring her 2 main threats are out of the way. only harrison remains to be a challenge for her in ontario

Chances are Rachel has her squad play out of Ontario - auto-berth into the Ontario playdowns being only a minor reason.

Emma & Lisa work in the Ottawa/southern Ontario region - I suspect Courtney can play it either way - she's an Albertan by birth and moved to Ottawa to further her curling career - don't know if she takes winters off to curl professionally and then resume nursing once the schedule softens up - approx. March 15th.....

quote:Originally posted by dugless_zone 13 i think Courtney was the out of province player, working for the Alberta Health Services and with Rachel living in Alberta that could be a problem.

I suspect if Curl Canada can come up with amended rules allowing Jen Jones to auto-berth the 2019 Scotties - they won't have a problem grand-fathering (err grand-mothering) Homan's team to continue on regardless of residence - even if its 2/2 Ontario/Alberta.

Put a bit of pressure on Red Porky (Resby Coutts) and Gerry Peckham will re-write the rule.

Right now - its fairly clear The Jones and Homan squads are head 'n shoulders above any other women's units in Canada.

Carey will be trying a re-branding so I can't put her into the conversation until I see the new Team Carey - but right now the Canadian contingent (top teams) goes like this:

I think it would be up to Ontario to decide homan's eligibility to enter their playdowns. I think up till now home and has been considered a university student in Alberta so her normal residence is still Ontario. Not sure how long that can continue?

So it looks like Calvert is continuing with Kurz at third and picked up McMillan at second and Robbie Gordon at lead.

Dunnstone has teased in twitter that after a hiatus he's going to soon announce some kind of reunion.

Does that mean Doering, Lott and since Gordon has moved on, maybe Wozniak? I know Lott has said at one point he was stepping back. If that happens, then Doering at 3rd, Woz at 2nd and they scare up a lead?